International Foundation Programme (Autumn start) - Credit

Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study will cover academic writing, reading, speaking and listening skills.

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Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study focuses primarily on grammar, vocabulary and academic writing skills but will include all language skills.

The module begins with an intensive revision of language structures and goes on to embed these structures into academic writing. Students will learn key steps in the writing process and be introduced to a range of written academic genres. Throughout the module, students will also develop their academic vocabulary through reading and writing tasks specially designed for this.

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This module provides students with an introduction to elementary spatial design theory and practice. It prepares students for Stage One entry into degree courses in architecture, interior design and interior architecture, in addition to associated areas of design study.

Key curriculum areas that might be covered include observation (how to read spatial environments), making (basic principles of construction of objects and environments), recording & communication (skills in freehand drawing, basic workshop techniques for making maquettes, and photography), formal manipulation through design projects (scale, the user, synthesis of competing demands), basic principles of design history, brief making and questioning and a possible Field trip

The syllabus comprises the following subject areas:

i. History/theory and construction/manufacture

ii. Observation and documentation

iii. Systems of communication: drawings, scale, model making, photography.

iv. Design Project

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This module introduces students to the study of Biosciences, with the aim of providing an introductory understanding of key topics in this field. This module is predominantly theoretical and is class-room based. The module will explore Biosciences and the research methods common in its research. The lectures will cover some of the key concepts and theories in the study of Biosciences. The module encourages students to explore Biosciences in a manner which is relevant for University undergraduate study.

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This module introduces students to the study of psychology, with the aim of providing an introductory understanding of key topics within psychology and seminal psychological research. The module will explore psychology as a Science and the research methods common in psychological research. The lectures will cover some of the key concepts and findings in the study of consciousness, sensation, child psychology, motivation, emotion, memory and attitudes, group processes.

The module encourages students to explore classical concepts in psychology within the context of cutting-edge research and contemporary issues within modern society. There is a particular focus on how psychology and concepts within the subject can inform controversial issues in everyday society

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This module provides an introduction to programming. Software pervades many aspects of most professional fields and sciences, and an understanding of the development of software applications is useful as a basis for many disciplines. This module covers the development of simple programs. Concepts common to all types of programming – such as sequence, selection and iteration – are covered to provide an understanding of the basic principles of software. In addition, object-oriented concepts are introduced, including classes, objects, constructors, methods and fields. The module includes an introduction to an educational software development environment, as well as other electronic tools, such as electronic mail, a web browser and printing facilities.

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Cell structure and function: cell organelles; cytoskeleton; DNA/RNA structure; introduction to transcription and translation; introduction to disorders of cells and tissues.

Cell division: mitosis; meiosis; mechanisms of creating genetic variation.

Cell differentiation and body tissues: tissue types; extracellular matrix; cell junctions.

Organ systems of the body including:

Musculoskeletal system: muscle types; mechanism of skeletal muscle contraction; structure, development and maintenance of bone; types of joints.

Circulatory system: overview of circulation; composition of blood; cells of blood.

Immune system: infectious agents; lymphatic system; innate and acquired defences.

Digestive system: digestive tract and accessory organs; types of nutrients; major digestive enzymes; absorption and assimilation.

Urinary system and excretion: kidney and urinary tract; urine formation; functions in waste removal, homeostasis.

Endocrine and Nervous systems: concept of homeostatic loops; endocrine glands and hormones; organization of nervous system; generation and conduction of a nerve impulse; synapses and neurotransmitters; comparison of neural and hormonal signalling.

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Subject-based and communication skills are relevant to all the bioscience courses. This module allows you to become familiar with practical skills, the analysis and presentation of biological data and introduces some basic mathematical and statistical skills as applied to biological problems. It also introduces you to the computer network and its applications and covers essential skills such as note-taking and essay writing.

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The module will be divided into two halves; the first half will look at debates within epistemology, philosophy of religion and the philosophy of mind. The purpose of these is twofold; first to expand students' theoretical knowledge across a broad range, and secondly to encourage them to discuss complex ideas in a structured and critical way. The second half will build upon the skills developed in the first half by exploring more contentious issues in moral and political philosophy.

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Through this module, students will develop their analytical and problem solving skills to successfully complete other related modules on the IFP. The programme of study will be divided into lectures in calculus, algebra and statistics.

As part of the orientation process, students will take a pre-course test which, along with other factors, will determine whether they go into the upper or lower band. This will involve an in class test in the first week. Students will then be grouped according to their mathematical ability and academic focus. The teaching in the upper bands will be geared more towards systematically working towards a solution while that in the lower bands will deal with mathematical techniques.

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The module will aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature and sources of English law, including its political nature and the hierarchy and structure of the English Legal System. Included within this, the problems associated with the interpretation and implementation of the law will be highlighted. The political nature of law and its relation to justice will also be stressed. In the second period, separate areas of the law will be considered (e.g. criminal law, contract law, and constitutional law) in order to give students a feel for the many different branches of law and how these often inter-relate.

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The old European order was profoundly shaken by the outbreak of revolutions in the American colonies in 1776 and France in 1789. These events heralded an age of dramatic changes in culture, society, and politics. Beginning in Britain in the mid-seventeenth century, the Industrial Revolutions further reshaped European society. New cities sprang up, leading to the decline of rural regions. In these new urban communities new classes emerged, along with a growing sense of class-consciousness; across Europe new political ideas were formed. This was an age of revolutions, but also an age of empire; European nations throughout the long nineteenth century conquered and exploited peoples in Asia and Africa, while the spoils of empire fed the growth of domestic societies. This was an era of great progress and innovation, but also of deprivation and inequity.

This module will challenge students' understanding of political, economic, social and cultural developments in modern European history, increasing their historical knowledge and engaging with key historiographical debates. Utilising a range of primary and secondary sources, students will be encouraged to discuss complex developments in a structured and critical way. These skills will be introduced to students through the consideration of a number of topics including: the American and French Revolutions; Industrialisation; Artistic Movements; Poverty; Political Representation; the Revolutions of 1848; German and Italian Unification; Imperialism; the outbreak of the First World War.

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The module will be divided into three main topics of study which are intended to challenge the student to ask questions about their social world and to explore their own individual and cultural experiences within a wider context. In particular, students are encouraged to examine their common-sense assumptions by 'thinking sociologically'. To do this requires not only the development of a sociological imagination but also the use of appropriate methodology and theoretical approaches. This course will introduce these skills to students through different topics. Studies begin with an exploration of the Sociological Imagination and follow on with Families and Intimate Relationships, Globalisation and Sex and Gender.

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The module will deal with alternative solutions to the problem of resource allocation leading to consideration of the operation of the market mechanisms and how the decisions and actions of economic agents are co-ordinated. Economic systems will be evaluated including treatment of circumstances in which markets are considered to fail. Market failure will be analysed utilising the micro-economic techniques developed earlier.

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Through this module, students will be given a broad introduction to the study of politics and international relations with particular emphasis on key debates within the discipline as well as contemporary events. Students will be introduced to the contested nature of politics before moving on to consider how political systems are formed, what major ideas are that drive them as well as the question of how we compare political systems. This will deepen into an examination of political ideologies as well as the role of the state and the nation.

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The module will deal with alternative solutions to the problem of business resource allocation leading to consideration of the operation of the marketing function and how the decisions and actions of managers are co-ordinated. Operational systems will be evaluated including treatment of circumstances in which management techniques are considered to fail. Financial failure will also be analysed utilising the ratio analysis techniques developed.

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Through this module, students will improve the transferable academic skills necessary to successfully complete their other modules on the IFP and to succeed on their future undergraduate programmes. The programme of study will cover the development of critical and analytical skills.

Students will attend regular seminars/workshops each week, focusing on furthering their academic skills. They will receive input on developing a research topic; writing and presenting a proposal; developing research questions; and engaging in reflection on the research and writing process. Students will also review how to write an annotated bibliography; briefly revisit how to plan and write an essay and how to undertake research; and practice presentation skills. They will have the opportunity to meet with their tutor regularly during the term for tutorials, to discuss their individual projects and progress on the module.

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